Visa Category Footnotes

The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

A-1

A-2

G-1 through G-4

NATO 1 through NATO 6

An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident. The spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status following the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principle alien’s country of nationality.

Example: John Doe is a national of the country of Z that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. His wife and child are nationals of the country of Y which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as Mr. Doe, the principal visa holder.

The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.

Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

Canadian Nationals

Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

Mexican Nationals

Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

T-2 (spouse)

T-3 (child)

T-4 (parent)

The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

General Documents

Please check back for update.

Birth, Death, Burial Certificates

Birth Certificates

Available. Applicant must include: date of birth, district of birth, mother's name at time of birth, mother's maiden name, and, if the child was born in wedlock, father's name. Birth certificates are can be obtained, for both residents and non-residents, from the Registrar General's Office, Registration House, South Quay, Port of Spain, Trinidad (868) 624-1660. Period covered: 1848 to date. Immediately following birth, an uncertified document may be obtained from the District Registrar and the Registrar General's Office will certify the document for a fee. Persons seeking a birth certificate sometime after the event must apply to the Registrar General's Office – charges include: search fee, issuing fee and certifying fee. Processing time: two to three weeks.

Death Certificates

Available. Applications for a death certificate must indicate the name, district of death, and date of death. Certificates are obtainable from the Registrar General's Office, Registration House, South Quay, Port of Spain Trinidad, West Indies Tel. (868) 624-1660 for both residents and non-residents. Period covered: 1848 to date. Processing time for applications made in person: one week. Process time for mail-in applications: one to two months. Mail-in applications should contain a return self-addressed stamped envelope.

Marriage, Divorce Certificates

Marriage Certificates

Available. Marriage certificate applications must include the names of the parties and date and place of marriage. Certificates are obtainable from the Registrar General's Office, Registration House, South Quay, Port of Spain Trinidad, West Indies Tel. (868) 624-1660 for both residents and non-residents. Period covered: 1848 to date. Processing time for applications made in person: one week. Process time for mail-in applications: one to two months. Mail-in applications should contain a return self-addressed stamped envelope.

Divorce Certificates

Not available as a public record; however, a copy of a Civil Divorce Order is obtainable from the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Copy Section, Hall of Justice, Knox Street, Port of Spain. Applicant must provide divorce case number. No fee is required. Certified copies of Muslim religious divorce decrees are obtainable from the Registrar General's Office, Registration House, South Quay, Port of Spain Trinidad, West Indies Tel. (868) 624-1660

Adoption Certificates

Available. Applicant must furnish child's full name, adoptive parents' full names, date and place of adoption, and name of the court granting adoption. Certificates are available from Registrar General's Office, Registration House, South Quay, Port of Spain, Trinidad (868) 624-1660. Return postage and envelope should be enclosed with request. A court record of the adoption is generally not available. Fee TT$25.00 payable by TT stamps or by postal money order.

Identity Card

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Police, Court, Prison Records

Police Records

Available. Records prior to 1990 were destroyed in a fire at Police Headquarters, but have been largely recreated using prison, court, and other records. Records are fully computerized and can be accessed by name or date of birth. A Certificate of Good Character may be obtained in person at the local police station closest to where the applicant resides. Fingerprints are taken there and the certificate, which is issued by the Central Police Agency, is returned to the local police office for pick-up. Processing time is two to three weeks.

Persons residing outside of Trinidad and Tobago may request a Certificate of Good Character by mail from: Superintendent, CID and CRO, Police Headquarters, Corner of Sackville and Edwards Streets, Port of Spain. The request must be accompanied by a fingerprint card completed by a police department or similar organization, or a Trinidadian diplomatic establishment abroad. The fee is payable only by postal money order. Processing time by mail is approximately eight weeks. A Trinidadian abroad may send his/her fingerprints and money to relatives who are resident in Trinidad and request that they apply to the local police station on his/her behalf. The relative can then either post or send via courier service the Certificate to the applicant after it has been picked up from the local police station. Police Criminal Records Office: (868) 627-4180 or visit the website.

Note: Statements from the Ministry of National Security attesting to an individual's good behavior, sometimes known as "pardons," are not acceptable in lieu of police certificates as they refer only to good conduct since the last arrest or conviction.

Prison Records

Available. Data included in police certificate.

Court Record

Available to the applicant only; for fee and additional information click here.

Other Records

Visa Issuing Posts

Visa Services

All visa categories for all of Trinidad and Tobago.

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.

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